Help!!

[kellys]

Hello, help. Had to post my first message as the nerves are seriously kicking in. Only 4 months ago we were very settled with life in the UK when the hubby got offered a job transfer from Stockton (North East) to Brisbane. We didn't really think about it for too long and is was such a fantastic opportunity but things have moves so quickly and we leave with our 2 children in 10 days!!
We still need to find a home and schools and don't know anyone in Australia!! These last few weeks have been the most emotional of my life saying farewells to close friends and family and we are all feeling very wobbly! Then I read loads of post about home-sickness and am trying very hard to stay positive. Any suggestions about how to just go with the flow and enjoy the ride!
Pixie

[jogrant3232]

I think its par for the corse to be on highs and lows, it one big rollercoaster so just enjoy the ride and keep your fingers crosssed. I think you will love it.

[Sam&Si]

Hi Pixie,

The important thing is...............not to panic! If you need any help with areas etc theres lots of PIO on here who live in/near Brisbane who I'm sure will be along soon to say hi - and some like Cal (Cal'n'Gary) are professional relocators so are an amazing source of information and might be able to find you somewhere to live. I'm not familiar with the area you're going to I'm afraid but best of luck with it all

Cheers and good luck!

[kellys]

Hello Jo and co
You are right, I think because it has been so quick the roller-coaster ride seems to be really fast; but when I read the other posts on here I realise how lucky we have been because we haven't had the worry of visas etc as my husbands work just sorted it all. One minute I am really excited and the next minute I am crying my eyes out! But deep down I know it such a fantastic opportunity that we must make the most of. Just feeling a bit overwhelmed at the scale of it all now! But having someone to take notice is such a source of support. Thank you, Pixie.

[kellys]

Hi Pixie,

The important thing is...............not to panic! If you need any help with areas etc theres lots of PIO on here who live in/near Brisbane who I'm sure will be along soon to say hi - and some like Cal (Cal'n'Gary) are professional relocators so are an amazing source of information and might be able to find you somewhere to live. I'm not familiar with the area you're going to I'm afraid but best of luck with it all

Cheers and good luck!

Thank you Sam and Si,
I hope that some people from Brisbane will reply. I didn't realise how much this website would help until now.
Pixie

[Lunarz123]

Hi Pixie,

We are in the same boat - OH suddenly got offered a job in Melbourne a couple of weeks back - we think we will be out there in about 8 weeks. It is a lot to take in and an awful lot to sort out. I feel the same as you - too good an opportunity to miss, but scary at the same time. Everytime I see my Mum at the moment, she cries

This forum is really hepful. For what it's worth, here's a few tips I have picked up in the last few weeks (I am sure there are many more).... Sort out your pets if you have any - they need vaccinations, microchipping, two weeks to their import licence and up to 10 weeks wait for quarrantine in Australia (which is 30 days if they are up to date on vacs)... Sort out your Aus bank account online prior to moving out to Aus to make things easier over there... Find out as much as possible about the area you are moving to - there are lots of people on here who are willing to give you advice, and lots of really good relocation experts you can get in touch with who can help... if you are having to rent your UK house out, there is a good chance that you can claim any shortfall between renting and mortgage back against your tax bill in Aus... If you are on any medication, make sure you get a letter from your doctor to be able to carry it through customs. Apparently it is not hard to find a doctor over in Aus, but it will cost you for prescriptions etc. Medicines have different names in Aus, so you might need to find them out... Cars and bikes etc. are about the same price, and probably not worth shipping... Electrics in Aus are the same, only the plugs are different, so taking some 4 way gangs is a good idea as you only need to change the one plug..... What a mine of information it is on here! I'm sure there's more...

Like you, I have been a bit freaked out by reading the threads from the poor people who have relocated and are really unhappy, but the general consensus seems to be that it is what you make it, and if you see it as an adventure and keep the doors open for going back to the UK, it can be wonderful - here's hoping!

Good luck.

Sue x

[kellys]

Hi Pixie,

We are in the same boat - OH suddenly got offered a job in Melbourne a couple of weeks back - we think we will be out there in about 8 weeks. It is a lot to take in and an awful lot to sort out. I feel the same as you - too good an opportunity to miss, but scary at the same time. Everytime I see my Mum at the moment, she cries

This forum is really hepful. For what it's worth, here's a few tips I have picked up in the last few weeks (I am sure there are many more).... Sort out your pets if you have any - they need vaccinations, microchipping, two weeks to their import licence and up to 10 weeks wait for quarrantine in Australia (which is 30 days if they are up to date on vacs)... Sort out your Aus bank account online prior to moving out to Aus to make things easier over there... Find out as much as possible about the area you are moving to - there are lots of people on here who are willing to give you advice, and lots of really good relocation experts you can get in touch with who can help... if you are having to rent your UK house out, there is a good chance that you can claim any shortfall between renting and mortgage back against your tax bill in Aus... If you are on any medication, make sure you get a letter from your doctor to be able to carry it through customs. Apparently it is not hard to find a doctor over in Aus, but it will cost you for prescriptions etc. Medicines have different names in Aus, so you might need to find them out... Cars and bikes etc. are about the same price, and probably not worth shipping... Electrics in Aus are the same, only the plugs are different, so taking some 4 way gangs is a good idea as you only need to change the one plug..... What a mine of information it is on here! I'm sure there's more...

Like you, I have been a bit freaked out by reading the threads from the poor people who have relocated and are really unhappy, but the general consensus seems to be that it is what you make it, and if you see it as an adventure and keep the doors open for going back to the UK, it can be wonderful - here's hoping!

Good luck.

Sue x

Sue
Your Mum is just the same as mine. For the first few weeks she wouldn't talk about it and kept just offering to make cups of tea!! Now every time she sees us she cries but I reassure her that we will still be able to see her (although she doesn't really like flying and she's in her 70's) and then after I've told her it's all going to be OK I go home and cry buckets!!

[Quoll]

If you think of it as being an adventure and not the rest of your life, you will be fine. Make decisions at every point along the way and follow the best opportunities for you. If you just go with the flow there is a danger that you could find yourself stuck here, beyond the point of no return and hating it even though you may absolutely love it at first (the honeymoon effect, can last for years). It is when you discover that this is "the rest of your life" that it becomes more difficult - so if you know that you have the capacity to go home if you should ever decide to do so then it is easy to manage.

Best thing is to keep yourself busy, go out in the community - either a job or volunteer work, expect nothing but take what comes, think of it as an adventure. Good luck.

[kellys]

If you think of it as being an adventure and not the rest of your life, you will be fine. Make decisions at every point along the way and follow the best opportunities for you. If you just go with the flow there is a danger that you could find yourself stuck here, beyond the point of no return and hating it even though you may absolutely love it at first (the honeymoon effect, can last for years). It is when you discover that this is "the rest of your life" that it becomes more difficult - so if you know that you have the capacity to go home if you should ever decide to do so then it is easy to manage.

Best thing is to keep yourself busy, go out in the community - either a job or volunteer work, expect nothing but take what comes, think of it as an adventure. Good luck.

Thank you Quoll
That is the most pragmatic advice I have had ... the hubby agrees with you entirely. I have to keep my head in check. Thank you.

[windsor]

What you are feeling is completly natural. When we decided to come over here I was so excited and couldn't wait. Then of course it get's near and you start questioning yourself as to if you have made the right decision even though I knew we had... Think it is good to have feelings like that because it means you are not wearing rose tinted glasses. Of course there are tears and guilt but it was better once we had done the goodbyes and went because although it was so so hard I just wanted that out the way.. I don't regret it one bit and so funny when I speak to my parents and our family on the phone it seems like we are around the corner.. When you arrive you need to really put yourself out there and cannot expect for people to come to you. Our son is 2 and I have tried different playgroups and found one we love and looking to join a club for me. Once we start meeting people you will find that you will settle in better.

Good luck

Shani